Anti-fracking groups target Andrew Cuomo in Iowa

A new ad tries to attack Cuomo where it could hurt him the most if he runs for president in 2016

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February 13, 2013 1:40AM (UTC)

A coalition of groups opposed to hydrofracking is running an ad in Iowa on Tuesday attacking New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his indecision about the state's drilling policy, throwing down the gauntlet should Cuomo decide to run for president.

More than 135 groups took out an ad in the Des Moines Register, telling Cuomo that "America is looking to you” and calling for "not one well" to be drilled. "Don't allow a single fracked shale gas well in New York," says the ad. "This is your chance to be a national leader on climate. Your choice now will be remembered forever."

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Cuomo is considering lifting New York's moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, a process that involves drilling into shale rock and pumping it with chemicals until it splits open, so that natural gas can be extracted.

Cuomo joked in response to the ad, “I’m not going to read it because I’m not going to be in Des Moines," the New York Daily News reports.

Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.